Need a tried-and-true way to beat the Florida heat? Scoop up your kiddos and cool off with a frozen sweet treat! With so many mom-and-pop ice cream shops out there, grabbing a cone or a sundae is a great way to instantly boost your mood. Below are a few of our favorite shops for cool treats (not in any particular order, though all are Lincoln-approved), along with a few classic favorites.
Mayday Ice Cream (San Marco, Jax Beach, 3rd Street, Riverside, River City)
Mayday Ice Cream originated in St. Augustine, Florida, and we were so delighted when they opened up a Jacksonville store where The Hyppo used to be located in San Marco. Even better? Check out their newest store located in Jax Beach’s 3rd Street (2400 Third Street S, Unit 202)! Our team recently checked it out, and everyone loved it! This place is heavenly and such a treat for any ice cream lover. All of the waffle cones are made fresh in-house! I have yet to try all of their 24+ flavors, but my favorite ones, for now, are: Strawberry Fields, Blackberry Earl Grey, Rose White Chocolate, and Denali Postcard!
Jeremiah’s Italian Ice (Jax Beach, San Marco, Mandarin, Durbin, Orange Park, Fleming Island, coming soon in St. Johns)
I first heard about Jeremiah’s when my local YMCA was giving out free samples. I forgot what flavor I had, but my son and I loved it! We decided to give it a try and checked out the one in Mandarin. They had a long list of different flavors, and it’s a good thing they offer free samples all day long. After our fifth tasting, I settled on the Pina Colada gelati, which is a mixture of Italian ice and soft serve twirled together for a slice of Heaven in your mouth. My son loves anything mango, so he went for that one. The best part? Jeremiah’s has kid-size gelatis just for your little ones!
Tasty Creamery (Argyle)
Veteran-owned small business located near Sam’s Club and Costco, Tasty Creamery just celebrated their one-year anniversary for their storefront. They serve Hershey’s hand dipped ice cream. My personal fave is the Dark Chocolate Raspberry!
Peterbrooke Chocolatier (throughout Northeast Florida)
When I think of Peterbrooke, I think of chocolate-covered popcorn and other gourmet chocolate cookies. Apparently, they offer gelato also which has been a hit among mamas and kiddos alike. We love the free scoop every Wednesday for the month of July. Way to go, Peterbrooke — my son and I truly enjoyed your pistachio-flavored gelato!
The Hyppo (St. Augustine)
Do popsicles count? In my vocabulary, yes — especially if they’re from Hyppo! My son refers to any popsicles he sees as “Hippo!” I have no shame that we eat these gourmet popsicles often. They are so good, and bravo to them for coming up with a kid-size popsicle made perfectly for little hands and little bellies! They only offer Chocolate, Mango, and Strawberry for the kids, but I’m sure those are enough for their tiny palate. I love all of the flavors, so I don’t have a specific favorite, but you can’t go wrong with “Elvis” if you love peanut butter, banana and honey!
Bruster’s Real Ice Cream (Atlantic Blvd, Mandarin, Oakleaf)
Bruster’s Real Ice Cream may be a national chain, but I love the one near Oakleaf Plantation! The workers are so nice and cheerful every time we go. My son is obsessed with anything dinosaur, so their Dino ice cream was a natural fit, which just consists of a scoop of vanilla or chocolate ice cream with sprinkles and a dinosaur cookie on top.
More-Than-Honorable Mentions
Here are more ice cream shops in town to check out, and let me know your favorite flavor!
About Time Creamery (throughout Jax): Partner company of Chilled Flavors, this one will travel to you for your ice cream needs! Check out their Facebook to find out where they are for the day.
Ben & Jerry’s (Nocatee): Nice to have an actual ice cream shop of a famous ice cream brand! I can just head over there and get a scoop of Chunky Monkey, Half Baked, or my other favorite Phish Food instead of buying a pint from a local grocery. Ben & Jerry’s offer non-dairy, vegan options also.
Cold Stone Creamery (Jax Beach, Ortega, Northside, Fleming Island, Fruit Cove, Yulee): Sometimes a yummy creamery chain just hits the sweet spot.
Conie’s Ice Cream (Fruit Cove): Be sure to check out their Facebook page for the Flavor of the week!
Cookies and Creme (Jacksonville Beach): Jacksonville Beach is just booming with new treat shops! Cookies and Cream specialize in making homemade cookies into ice cream sandwiches.
Cool Eddy’s (Fruit Cove): Gelati, Italian ice, soft serve ice cream, and shakes with unique flavors inspired by Cool Eddy himself.
Dreamette (Murray Hill, San Marco, Springfield, Atlantic Beach, Middleburg, Orange Park, Green Cove Springs): Serving up dreamy ice cream since 1948! Started out at Murray Hill and has expanded all over Jacksonville and surrounding areas.
Five Fx Ice Cream and Waffles (Baymeadows): They make your treat right in front of you! While you are there, check out Taiyaki which is a Japanese fish-shaped cake with fillings. In other words, it is like a nice waffle cake with red bean paste, Nutella, custard or chocolate inside!
Flo’s Premium Ice Cream (Ponte Vedra Beach): Newest ice cream shop in PVB serving 24 homemade ice cream flavors.
Freddy’s Frozen Custard & Steakburgers (Southside, St Johns Town Center, Orange Park): Get your burger and frozen treat fix with this delicious retro-style chain restaurant!
Frostbite Nitrogen Ice Cream (throughout Jax): Liquid nitrogen ice cream made-to-order right in front of you. Catch this ice cream truck if you can! They are working on opening their first flagship storefront.
Frozen Sweets Truck (throughout Jax): Serving shaved ice, frozen drinks, Italian ice, and one-of-a-kind “Freakshakes” and sundaes. Check out their schedule on Facebook.
Hershey’s Ice Cream (Mandarin): I think it’s the ambiance and the sweetest customer service that I love the most about this place. Their ice cream is so good, too! It’s our go-to spot after shopping at Hobby Lobby.
Insomnia Cookies (Southside, Downtown JAX): Sure, it’s a cookie store, but they have ice cream! My mouth is drooling for their “cookiewiches” and guess what? It’s available for local delivery & pickup orders online & in-store.
Kelly’s Homemade Ice Cream (San Marco, Ponte Vedra Beach): Both locations can be found inside Foxtail Coffee Co., and be sure to take a pint home with you also.
Kilwins (St. Johns Town Center): Lots of great flavors of traditional ice cream. Bonus: Not feeling a cold treat? Opt for a chocolate-covered apple or homemade fudge instead!
Le Macaron (Avondale, Avenues Mall, St Johns Town Center): While you’re there for their yummy macarons, check out the french gelatos!
Maggie D’s Ice Cream Parlor (Middleburg): Hand Dipped or Soft Serve Ice Cream. Sundaes, Milkshakes, Floats, Brownie and Waffle Sundaes, oh my!
Malachi’s Ice Cream Bar (Riverside): Not only is the interior design swoon-worthy, but their ice cream also. They bring the booze to ice cream. This place serves beer and wine also.
Marble Slab Creamery (San Marco, Southside, Durbin, Yulee, Orange Park): Serving up fresh homemade ice cream since 1983! If you’re looking for Maggie Moo’s ice cream shop at Orange Park Mall, it is now called Marble Slab.
Milkster Nitrogen Creamery (San Marco): Opening soon in a hot spot for ice cream shops. Be sure to check their Facebook page for updates on the opening date.
Mox Ice Cream (coming soon in Atlantic Beach): They serve Euro-style ice cream and a variety of Espresso drinks. The Riverside location just closed but their Atlantic Beach location is opening soon. Check their Facebook page for updates.
Nitrogen Creamery (throughout Jax): Jacksonville’s first liquid nitrogen ice cream truck. Be sure to follow them on Facebook to find out where they are heading to next!
Pelican’s SnoBalls (Jax Beach): This fun place serves fluffy New Orleans-style shaved ice with over 100 flavors and even more toppings! They are also food allergy friendly and offer dye-free, peanut-free, tree-nut-free, gluten-free, sugar-free, dairy-free and egg-free options.
Rita’s Italian Ice (Jax Beach, Rivertown, Yulee, Hodges area): Rita’s does it right! Try out the Gelati, Italian Ice, and frozen custard layered together for a unique treat.
Royal Moose Coffee (Middleburg): Drive-thru coffee shop with ice cream also! They have a small outdoor seating if you rather not eat your ice cream in the car.
Smallcakes Cupcakery & Creamery (Northside, Pablo Creek area): If you live on the Northside, now you know where to find a cold treat with chocolate-dipped waffle cones along with cakes, cupcakes, macarons and other desserts!
Springfield Scoops (Springfield): A sweet spot in a historic neighborhood. The colorful mural inside the ice cream shop is perfect for your insta photos also!
Sweet Pete’s Candy (Downtown): This local legend is known for its gourmet chocolate, caramel, and candy, but they also have a full-size ice cream parlor! Be sure to check out their occasional sweet classes, too.
The Dolly Llama (Ponte Vedra Beach, coming soon in E-Town): Build your own Signature Bubble Waffle topped with any ice cream flavor you want such as horchata, salted caramel, matcha green tea, ube and other yummy flavors, along with all kinds of sauce and toppings you desire. Check out their Facebook page for inspirations!
The Icy Spot (throughout Jax): Ice cream truck serving authentic Italian ice. Be sure to check Facebook to find out where they are parked for the day.
The Peach Cobbler Factory (Ortega, Northside): Treat your tastebuds to all kinds of cobblers with ice cream included.
The Stout Snug (Murray Hill): Ice cream and a pub with live music in one place? Sounds like a great family outing to me!
The Sweet Spot (Ponte Vedra Beach): formerly called Christy’s Dream Ice Cream, this is located in Sawgrass Village Shopping Center, Ponte Vedra Beach.
The Yard Milkshake Bar (St Johns Town Center): As seen on Shark Tank, Jacksonville finally gets to taste their specialty milkshakes topped with delicious ice cream!
Tough Guys Cookies and Sweets (Oakleaf): Mainly known for their freshly-baked cookies, but they do offer ice cream at their shop also!
Waffle Cone (Riverside): Dairy, sugar, & gluten free options. Check in on their social media pages every day to see if your name has been selected for a free scoop in a waffle cone!
Whit’s Frozen Custard (Atlantic Beach, Avondale, Jax Beach, Kernan Square, Mandarin, South Jax, World Golf Village, and Orange Park): Beat the summer heat at any of their eight convenient stores around town!
Self-Serve Frozen Yogurt (throughout Jax): YOBE Frozen Yogurt, sweetFrog, and Yogurt Mountain.
According to the International Dairy Foods Association, “Ice cream has historically been a key feature of American communities.” So do your part in supporting your local ice cream shop!
Where’s your go-to spot for a cool treat? Comment below!
Try out the Dreamette in Murray Hill/Edgewood. You will NOT be disappointed!
Thanks for the recommendation, Sherri! We’ve been there several times and love Dreamette! This post is a “sequel” to another post, and our team member Kathy Waller included Dreamette in her own post: http://jacksonvillemom.com/food/the-scoop-on-ice-cream-in-jax/
We LOVED MAGIC SWEET HOUSE! However it looks like it didn’t survive the pandemic. It never reopened and has a for lease sign on the building 🙁
Oh no, that makes me sad to hear it closed. Thank you for the heads up, Jessica!
Check out The Dolly Llama in Ponte Vedra for ice-cream , bubble waffles and belgian waffles – next level fabulousness!
We like Scoops in Springfield, so many flavors. Closer to home, we like Hershey’s beside the Stout Snug in MurrayHill. Both Scoops and Hershey’s are hard pack, whereas Dreamette is soft serve.